Art Benches

Art Benches

Challenging the assumption of the humble bench

Unique benches originally commissioned by the London Design Festival and exhibited collectively at the V&A can be viewed at Canary Wharf as part of a joint collaboration.

Not exhibited since 2012, they now form part of the Canary Wharf landscape where workers and visitors can enjoy their unique design, comfort and craftsmanship. Explore the versatility of the materials used for each one and challenge the assumption of the humble bench.

Tube, Alexander Taylor, Crossrail Place Roof Garden

Tube references felled logs in woodland either position intentionally or otherwise being used as a place to sit and relax. The surface is reflective therefore interactive with its environment.

British award winning Alexander Taylor is currently a design consultant at Adidas. His 2006 Fold Light piece was acquired for the permanent collections by the New York’s Museum of Modern Art and the Art Institute Chicago.

Material: Tubular stainless steelSupplier: Caparo – an expert engineering company based in the UKwww.alexandertaylor.com

Infinity Bench, Martino Gamper, Crossrail Place Level -1

The Infinity Bench highlights the liveliness and irregularity of using different types of wood. It was created with intentional simplicity allowing the natural textures, patterns and finishes of all the wood to display their natural beauty.

Martino Gamper is an Italian designer who makes three-dimensional objects. In 2007 he designed the internationally renowned 100 Chairs in 100 Days. Wallpaper presented Martino with an award for Best Use of Colour and Moroso awarded him with the Award for Contemporary Art.

The beauty of the mosaic in the Pier showcases its maximum splendour with its delicate contrast between the shades of colour ranges used.

Designer of the Year by Design Miami / Konstantin Grcic has many pieces in permanent collections in the most important design museums. Konstantin curates a number of significant design exhibitions worldwide and develops furniture, products and lighting for some of leading design companies.

Material: Glass MosaicSupplier: Bisazza – a top luxury brand in the design sector and a leading producer of glass mosaic in Italywww.konstantin-grcic.com

A-Bench Metal, Felix de Pass, West Wintergarden

The A-Bench Metal angled seat creates comfort, its punched top allows water to drain and heat to disperse and its symmetry enables it to be approached and used from any direction.

Felix de Pass is a British designer and a design lecturer. Felix connected with skilled craftsmen to make this bench at Established & Sons and has his own studio where he designs and develops products, furniture and lighting.

Durable, non-porous and seamless, the Plinth benches share the same design but of different heights and lengths yet when placed together they create an opportunity to complete the sculpture.

Sam Hecht & Kim Colin, founders of Industrial Facility, develop and produce industrial design recognised with its 4th IF Hanover Gold Award and Design of the Year award for Furniture from the Design Museum and Elle Decoration. Their work is included within permanent collections of MoMA New York, the Art Institute Chicago and the V&A London.

PÉ DE PORCO is a homage piece to the cork oak that it is made from and conceived in this territory where the landscape and material culture are deeply marked by the economic activities carried our around cork harvesting.

Portuguese designer Fernando Brizio is also a professor, Head of Design and a visiting lecturer worldwide and is probably the most internationally recognized Portuguese designer of his generation.

Material: CorkSupplier: Amorim – the world’s leading cork producer who make a considerable contribution to the preservation the landscape and material heritage and promotion social sustainability in areas threatened by desertification.www.fernandobrizio.com